I have thought long and hard about how I should go about writing my December Blog, and I have come to the conclusion to put it all in one big blog! This will probably be my biggest yet!
****December has been a busy month for us, but it was all worth it! We have enjoyed all of our playdates, craft projects, park fun and all the friends and family time! Oh boy has it been an adventure!
****We made Christmas cookies and a Gingerbread house over at a friends home. The kids had lots of fun! The kids loved eating the candies and all the frosting while making each cookie! We also had a snowman craft for the kids to do! It made a great ornament on our Christmas tree!
Ryker waiting to decorate his cookies!
This is what Lucas looked
Ryker putting the finishing touches on the Gingerbread house!
Ryker Decorating his Christmas cookie!
****We decided not to go with a real tree this year and got a small artificial tree for our family! We gave it some height by putting it on a coffee table! It came out just perfect for our little family! Our boys had a blast putting it up!
Ryker loved to help with the lights!
Mike putting up his ornament!
Ryker helping me put up my ornament!
Lucas getting some help from dad to put up our star!
Lucas admiring our Beautiful Christmas Tree!
****Our 2nd Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Block Party this year was held on Sat. Dec. 3rd, 2011 at Amie, Dennis and Brayden Follett's house! I have searched all summer and all of fall for the perfect Christmas sweaters out there! I sure got lucky! Ryker sweater, Michaels and My sweater were all purchased at a Thrift store for a total of $4 each. Lucas sweater he already had, but I added the Santa Clause on it with some old fabric and cotton balls. I sewed all the pieces together on a sweater he already had and turned out great! We always have a good time with our neighbors especially the Follett's! Thanks for hosting the party this year, and look forward to the next block party!
Our boy's ready for the Christmas Party!
Michael getting ready to cut the turkey!
Firouzei and Monty
Our White Elephant gift exchange! Lots of laughs!
Bill and Donna
Our family looking pretty festive in our sweaters!
I love Christmas!
Michael and I looking good!
Amie and I
Julie, Veronica, Julie, Amie, Me, and Firouzei
My camera died after this! Didn't get a chance to get a group shot of the guys!
****On Sat December 10th, 2011, Lucas had his first Christmas program in Preschool! He did such an amazing job! I am so proud of him!
Lucas with his classmates!
Not the best picture but we did get it on video!
After his Program, our boys got to see Santa!
****Although we celebrated Ryker's 2nd Birthday a month before we still had a little Birthday Celebration on Tues. Decemeber 13th, 2011, with Cake and Presents!
Ryker admiring his cake!
Checking out the cake!
After he blew out the Candles with Lucas' help!
Yummy!
Ready to eat his cake!
Michael is enjoying it!
Lucas is feeling the sugar rush....
****Lucas and Ryker having some out door play time in our backyard! Lucas and his Batman Mask and cape we got in Mexico, Lucas is showing off his moves!
Watch out bad guys!
Oh boy!
Ryker and I
Spiderman and I!
Ryker playing in the sand box!
Getting lower and lower
AND LOWER! LOL... He is so silly sometimes!
He played like this for a good 5 min!
****The boys and their friend Alyssa made a fort! It has been the biggest one yet! We kept it up for a good 3 weeks! Lucas loved it!
This is what the Fort looked like on the outside!
Inside the Fort!
Even our dogs joined in on the fun!
Eating Cuties and Bananas inside the Fort!
Cutie Smile's!
****Lucas and Ryker love going on Nature walks! They find anything like pinecones, sticks and leaves and we make crafts out of them, with crafts we have at home! Since it was December we decided to look for things that we can make Christmas trees or to make Christmas crafts!
Lucas' Christmas Tree
Alyssa's Christmas tree and Lucas'
Jonah and Mandy's Christmas tree and Lucas and mine
****We had a very fun playdate with the Wisham Family up in Oak Glen! The kids had a blast and us Mommies had a good time as well! We brought a packed lunch and had an adventure!
The kids playing on the HayStacks!
Visited the Deer's!
Checking out the Deer!
Lucas and his Friend Jonah!
Ryker!
This poor Goat was trying to eat his way out of his home!
The boys sitting in the sun! Lol...Ryker looks mad, Jonah looks sad
and Lucas has his goggles on!
Ryker with his Girlfriend Josalyn (Jonah's baby sister)
We had lots of fun up in Oak Glen and Look forward to our next visit! We would love to go up to Oak Glen and go sledding if we get some more snow! Thanks to the Wisham Family for hanging out with my sick kids and for keeping me sane!
****Christmas this year we decided to spend it with our Family in Northern California. On Christmas Eve we spent it with my Family in San Jose, Ca at my Uncle Scott's House. We had a wonderful time! Delicious food and perfect company including: My Grandparents, Mom and Manny, Sister Courtney, Max and wife Rachel, Uncle Carl, and of course the hosts Uncle Scott and Aunt Autumn. I don't want to forget the furry little friends who were there as well: The three little dogs Napoleon, Jacque, Chester and of course sweet little kitten Cabot! We had a fabulous time with my mom's side of the family! Mom thanks for everything! You sure know how to spoil your Grandchildren! We love you guys so much!
My Big Sister Courtney!
Wish Jen was with us to Celebrate Christmas with the Family!
But at least she was able to spend it with our family in the PI!
Transformers!
Lucas With Auntie Court!
Cup Cake Holder I got from my Grandma and Grandpa!
Love you both!
My Grandma is truely one of my best friends! I love her so much!
Thanks for always being there for me and loving me and my family!
My Grandpa and his Pup Chester!
Love you Grandpa! Thanks for taking care of Grandma!
And thanks for always entertaining Lucas with stories about squirrels!
My Uncle Carl
Thanks for always being an awesome Uncle! Thanks for introducing me to Sushi!
My Uncle Scott, my boys, Cousin Max and pup Napoleon!
Uncle Scott
Thanks for always being the cool uncle! and
Thanks for Marrying Autumn she is amazing!
My Aunt Autumn, Cabot and Courtney!
Autumn Thanks for being a loving person!
We are, So happy you are in our family!
Michael and I, Courtney, Max and Rachel
Congrats on the marriage again Max and Rachel
We are so happy for the 2 of you! You did a great Job Max, She is beautiful and sweet!
Welcome to the Family Rachel!
****For Christmas Eve Dinner we headed over to my Dads and Step Mom Ann's Place! We had the mixture of American tradition foods like Turkey and Ham, and some very traditional Filipino foods, like pancit, Leche phlan, and some delicious fish. I ate a lot over at my mom's side of the family, which meant I had to eat double the food at my dad's! lol...I love food! We were lucky to see Ann since she had work on Christmas Eve and on her Lunch break she made time to visit and eat dinner with us and to open presents! We had lots of fun and the boys really enjoyed their Grandpa's time they had with him. We were also blessed with the presence of my Auntie Vilma and Uncle Nester! It was so great to spend Christmas Eve with them, since we don't get to see them often! It's been years since we've done that! It was great for them to visit with my children! Thanks for everything Dad and Ann! We hope to have more time next time! Love you guys!
Courtney and my Niece Gracie
I love them!
Family Picture!
Mama Ann and Lucas
Papa and Lucas
The best picture! Just wish we got Uncle Nester in it as well!
Take 1=Fail
Take 2=perfection! lol....
****Christmas Day, we spent it with Michaels side of the family! When we visit our Family we always stay with Michael's Grandma Oma! When our boys woke up in the morning they found their stockings filled with goodies that Santa brought them! Lucas was super excited that Santa knew where to find him since we were not home for Christmas! Once the boys opened their goodies we headed to church with Oma and after church we had her famous Dutch soup and Lunch then presents! We always have a wonderful time with Oma and family! Thanks again for your hospitality Oma! We love you so much!
Lucas with his stocking stuffers!
Lucas' favorite new stuff animal!
He named him Shoeshine!
Thanks Tante Rachael for the PJ's you got our boys!
Ryker checking out all of goodies Santa got him!
Michael's Cousin Lacee and her beautiful Daughter Lila!
Ryker opening gifts!
Oma being silly!
****The evening of Christmas Day we headed over to Michael's moms side of the family the Dotinga's! We had yet another amazing Christmas celebration with them as well! Lot's of fun
Pake and our family!
We love you Pake!
Jessica, Sydney and Jacqui!
Ryker with Vanessa!
Jacqui and Natasha
Natasha and sweet Sydney
Jacqui and Brandon
Joseph and Karinne
Justiss and Cassandra
Justiss and Jimmy
Cassandra and Adam
Clairene, Jared, Tante Harriet, Uncle Sid and Sydney
Jessica, Vanessa, Jacqui and Cindy
Ryker enjoying his fruit!
Ryker playing with Geneva
****On December 27th, 2011, we headed to Walnut Creek to visit with my Grandparents! Lucas was really excited to visit his GG and GGpa in hopes to see the squirrels his GGpa talks about all the time! As soon as we pull up to the drive way Lucas saw a squirrel on a neighbors roof! He was so excited!
Lucas outside waiting for the squirrels to visit! Unfortunately, they kept their distance!
But he had lots of fun anyways! Because he got to spend it with his GGpa!
Lucas loves his GG!
Gracie came to visit also with Grandma!
Lucas working on a puzzle!
Lucas scratching Jacques back with GGpa's back stratcher!
Lucas with his Grandma and Gracie!
Ryker enjoying snack time with GGpa!
Thanks GGpa for letting Ryker use you as a foot rest!
With GG!
My mom and I!
We finally got a nice picture together!
Love you!
****Right after leaving my Grandparents house we headed over to Fremont to visit a close friend of mine from High School, she just had her first baby! Beautiful Baby Sophia Grace we love you! We had a lovely time eating some Cold Stone ice cream and relaxing outside! I definitely miss our conversations! I wish we lived closer to you guys so our kids can grow up together! I look forward to seeing you guys again soon. You guys are welcome to stay at our house anytime! Love you guys!
Ryker playing with Sophia!
Uh-oh....Sophia is in Rykers bubble! lol...
I love you Angela!
You have such a beautiful little family!
Thanks for making time for us!
Sophia face tells it all! lol...she made her mommy a present in her diaper!
Her little stink face! lol...
I love Sophia!
You are an amazing friend, mother and a wife!
Love you and your family!
Hope to see you soon!
On Thursday, December 29th, we celebrated a late Christmas with Michael's sister and family! It was nice to finally get together again for Christmas since our last one in 2008 in Washington! I definitely wish we lived closer to them because I love my in laws and my nephews! Also, Michael's Dad and Step mom Patty came to visit Oma for the holidays! We were truely blessed this Christmas with all the family who came to visit from Washington!
Building blocks with their Opa!
They did such an amazing job!
Lucas trying to help Maverick with his gift!
Linus!
Emett!
Xavier!
Michael says Kaw, Kaw! Thanks Dad!
Bill and Patty Modeling their robes we got them!
Bill opening his Birthday present everyone pitched in to get him!
We all got him a Raiders Jersey with his last name on it and
his birth year as the number on the jersey!
Happy 60th Bill!
We love you!
Michael receiving his trophy for a pool Mike and his brother were in together!
Obviously mike won!
Family picture with Oma
(Ryker was already in bed)
Xavier and Oma!
Look how tall he is now!
On Friday, December 29th, we celebrated Oma's 90th Birthday at the Barnwood Restaurant!
There were about 40 friends and family members who all came out to celebrate Oma's 90th!
Happy 90th Oma!
Mike, Elly, Oma, Bill, Patty and Mary
Singing Oma a song
Oma's Kids
Missing Jake!
Dan, Rachael, Michael, Oma
Dan and Camisha said they couldn't make it to Oma's 90th bday
but they surprised everyone by showing up at the Bday party!
Oma was very pleased to see them!
Rahchael, Shelby, Dan and Lacee
Garrett and I being silly!
Cheese!
All the Grandchildren and some great grandchildren!
Dan, Mike, Rachael, Jake, Ashleigh, Oma, Kaitlyn, Hailey, Angela, Shelby and Lacee
Great Grandchildren
Emett, Xavier, Ryker, Linus, Oma, Lila, Maverick, Lucas, Kaitlyn and Hailey
Our Family with Beautiful Oma
Ryker and Xavier
Maverick and Lucas
Mike and I with Dan and Camisha!
Oma's 90th Birthday was filled with laughter, tears(happy ones), and love! She has touched each and everyone of our lives in so many ways! I always look forward to visiting Oma because once my boys go to bed including Michael, Oma and I stay up late talking about everything! I love our conversations that we have! She always has an answer for everything! And I love how honest she is about everything! Oma, Thank you for being a great Grandmother and Great Grandmother to all of us!We love you so much!
****On December 31st, 2011, it was time for Oliebollen(Dutch Doughnuts) at Oma's house! Our Cooks were, Bill Weeda and Bill Schakel! They did a great Job! Everything came out delicious!
Bill and Bill
Looking good in their Aprons!
The cook tasting his food!
powdered stache!
Oma is enjoying her's also!
Yummy Oliebollen!
The Cooks!
Lots of eating going on!
X and Lucas!
X and Emett took a dip in the pool! it was about 34 degrees outside!
The boys did it for Oma! They screamed "Happy Birthday Oma!" before they jumped in!
Cousins!
****New Year's Eve night we went out with Michaels cousins and their husbands to Torii(sushi/Karaoke) in Modesto! We enjoyed our delicious dinners and enjoyed our Karaoke moments!
Lacee, Shelby and I
Shelby and Garrett!!
Mike and Lacee
Mike and I
The boys!
The Lovely Ladies
After Torii's we went to Phat Cat!
We danced until the New Year then headed back home!
New Year's Eve Consisted of eating a lot of Oliebollen and hanging out with our family! Then we ate some more and laughed, screamed, sang, drank, wresteld, loved and celebrated the New Year!
I am happy to say GoodBye to December! It has been one heck of a ride! I can only imagine what the new year will bring us! My new year resolution is to choose my battles that are thrown at me unexpectedly!
